Date of Award

Spring 2009

Abstract

The need for further investigation into the variables that are related to college first-year students' success in school is critical in determining how to increase the retention rates of college students. This study examines the correlations between friendship, college adjustment, and self-efficacy, with college adjustment and self-efficacy being measured by the College Adjustment Test (CAT), and the New General Self-Efficacy Scale (NGSES), respectively. The sample was obtained from two universities located in New England. Ninety students participated; sixty-six (73.3%) were female, and 24 (26.7%) were male. The Spearman Rho correlation was used to determine the degree of the relationship between self-efficacy and the composition of friendships during the college first-year adjustment period. Results applied to all three research questions indicated no significant relationship between self-efficacy and how the participants' majority of friendships were composed, and between self-efficacy and when the participants met their best friend(s).

First Advisor

Janet Elizabeth Falvey

Department or Program

Counseling

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Download

Share

COinS